Hardwood Flooring Installation cost: Allentown vs Scranton (2026)
The two metros aren't quite in sync on hardwood flooring installation: Allentown sits 4% above Scranton, or roughly $10,400 versus $10,000 — about $400 apart.
Allentown PA
Typically around $10,400
Scranton PA
Lower costTypically around $10,000
Allentown vs Scranton: full breakdown
| Factor | Allentown | Scranton |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $10,400 | $10,000 |
| Estimated range | $5,950–$14,800 | $5,700–$14,300 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.99 | ×0.95 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $6,250 | $6,000 |
| Materials/equipment | $4,150 | $4,000 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national hardwood flooring installation range for local labor, climate and permits.
How much should this gap actually matter?
That 4% gap is small — for hardwood flooring installation it's usually less than the spread between two local contractors' quotes, so the metro matters far less than who you hire and when you buy.
Hardwood flooring installation by type: Allentown vs Scranton
Every hardwood flooring installation type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.
| Type | Allentown | Scranton |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered hardwood | $5,950–$11,850 | $5,700–$11,400 |
| Red / white oak | $6,400–$12,850 | $6,200–$12,400 |
| Maple | $6,900–$13,850 | $6,650–$13,350 |
| Hickory | $7,400–$14,800 | $7,150–$14,300 |
| Walnut / exotic (Brazilian cherry) | $8,900–$17,800 | $8,550–$17,150 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for hardwood flooring installation — get an actual quote before you commit.
Hardwood flooring installation by floor area: Allentown vs Scranton
Hardwood is priced per square foot installed — roughly $6–$25/sq ft depending on the wood and labor. Measure the rooms you're covering; bigger jobs cost more total but often less per square foot.
| Size | Allentown | Scranton |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (small room) | $1,600–$4,450 | $1,500–$4,300 |
| 500 sq ft (large room) | $3,450–$8,900 | $3,350–$8,550 |
| 1,000 sq ft (main floor) | $5,950–$14,800 | $5,700–$14,300 |
| 1,500+ sq ft (whole home) | $8,900–$21,750 | $8,550–$20,950 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for hardwood flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
Cheapest time for hardwood flooring installation in either city
Demand for flooring falls off right after the holidays, and stores mark down stock to move it — the same stretch when installers have the least competing work.
How should you budget a flooring project?
A flooring budget is really two budgets — the material on top and the subfloor work underneath. Our editors break down the trade-offs.
The hidden-cost case
The surprise isn't the flooring — it's the subfloor. Budget for leveling, removal and disposal; a bid that ignores them will be "revised" mid-job.
The longevity case
Solid hardwood costs more but can be refinished for decades and adds resale value. If you're staying put, the higher upfront price amortizes well.
The material-value case
Laminate and luxury vinyl deliver a hardwood look for a fraction of the price and handle moisture better — the value pick for busy homes and tight budgets.
Choose the material based on how long you're staying and how much wear the floor will see — then don't skip the subfloor line item. An ignored subfloor turns a cheap material into an expensive redo.
Allentown vs Scranton
Is hardwood flooring installation cheaper in Allentown or Scranton?
Scranton comes out ahead here, at roughly $10,000 for hardwood flooring installation compared with $10,400 in Allentown — a 4% ($400) gap as of 2026.
Why does hardwood flooring installation cost more in Allentown than Scranton?
The main driver is local labor rates: Allentown's labor index is 0.99 versus 0.95 in Scranton. Climate zone (cold vs cold) also shift the total.
How much is hardwood flooring installation in Allentown, PA?
hardwood flooring installation in Allentown runs $5,950–$14,800 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $10,400.
When is the cheapest time to buy hardwood flooring installation — and does it differ by city?
The best window is the same in both Allentown and Scranton: Winter and the post-holiday January window, when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 5–10% off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during late spring and summer.
Should I choose where to live based on hardwood flooring installation cost?
Rarely. The $400 difference is real but one-time, and you can often close most of it in Allentown by buying in the off-season and getting tighter, apples-to-apples bids. Ongoing factors — energy prices, climate and home condition — matter more over the life of the system.
Compare hardwood flooring installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik